Head of Benchmark Data Services
The Group: Morningstar, Inc., a leading global provider of independent investment research, is looking for an innovative, highly motivated, successful leader in index benchmarking services. The Index business is responsible for the creation and distribution of Morningstar’s Index Intellectual Property. The group develops new, innovative indexes for use by asset manager, asset owner and the wealth management client segments in serving their investment needs.
The Role: The Morningstar Indexes Team seeks a highly motivated Head of Benchmark Data Services focused on aggressively growing the use of Morningstar Indexes across the index benchmark ecosystem. This is a strategic position that not only supports the creation of innovative investable products, but also brings institutional credibility and a platform to create significant revenue growth in our index data business. Because this role covers opportunities globally, it will require approximately 25-50% travel. This position may be based in either our New York or Chicago office.
Responsibilities:
- Support and expand a robust benchmark data services business
- Build an infrastructure to deliver a full suite of multi-asset benchmarks covering equities, fixed income and other asset classes
- Work closely with our Product and Research team including frequent collaboration with our index operations and governance, client coverage, index strategy, marketing, and communications teams
- Provide clients worldwide with the tools they require to measure and benchmark markets across asset classes, styles or strategies
- Bring institutional credibility and a platform to create significant revenue growth in our benchmark data business
- Contribute to thought leadership across a broad variety of topics across the index investment ecosystem
- Establish Morningstar as an index provider of choice for pension funds, endowments and other asset owners
- Create meaningful dialogue with the consultant community in order to promote our indexes
- Deliver top-level data revenue from asset managers, custodians and OCIOs
Requirements:
- Proven track record of 15+ years’ experience in leading an index provider’s benchmark business
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, economics, marketing management or related field
- MBA or master's degree preferred
- An independent strategic thinking approach
- Ability to manage within a matrix structure in order to successfully implement solutions across regions and business units in a collaborative, team-oriented manner
- Practical experience in the use of indexes in equity and fixed income portfolio management, research or structured products
- Knowledge of derivatives and their use in the index business
- Experience with media, public relations and conference presentations
- Proven ability to be successful in a global, matrix organization
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate complex index concepts to the asset owner community
- Ability to closely monitor team performance, delegate tasks, and set expectations and deadlines